In recent years, images featuring some type of exotic fruit have gone viral on social media, accompanied by messages claiming that this fruit is 10,000 times more powerful than radiotherapy or that it has some miraculous property.
One of the main fruits of this type of images has been huaya, a bittersweet and fleshy fruit native to Central and South America
Both anti-infectious and anti-cancer properties have been attributed to it, occupying the space of more than one media.
To what extent is this true? Does this fruit really have healing properties? Here, in this article, we are going to explain what huaya is, what its properties are and what relationship it may have with oncological diseases.
Huaya is a very well-known fruit in several countries. Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, El Salvador… are just a few names of the many places where this fruit can be found as a regular product in fruit stores. There are several names with which this delicacy has been baptized: guaya, mamoncillo, quenepa, chupalotes, güevillos and many others that refer to what they resemble.
The word “huaya” probably comes from the Nahuatl word “hueyona” composed of “hue-i”, “grande” and “yona-catl”, “pulpa”.
This fruit grows at the top of the tree with the same name (Melicoccus bijugatus), in branches that can measure about 10 centimeters. The tree can reach heights of up to 30 meters. The fruit consists of a drupe covered with a green shell, the interior of which houses the sweet and sour fleshy part and the seeds, which occupy most of the edible part. In itself, the huaya looks like a kind of peach about 2 to 4 cm in diameter.
Since pre-Columbian times, the huaya fruit has been attributed immunological properties, and it is believed that it combats problems associated with the entry of bacteria and viruses into the body. In addition, the acids that the fruit has have been related to benefits for pregnant women, contributing to the production of proteins and increasing the defenses of the fetus.
Contributes to protecting epithelia against harmful factors , such as tobacco consumption (although it does not reverse the damage caused by smoking). In addition, it has been linked to avoiding kidney discomfort.
Fruit is an important source of nutrients, such as iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, B3, B6, B12 and C , which could have a beneficial role in combating urinary and bronchial conditions, such as fever and colds. Its frequent consumption can be an important source of vitamins, as well as minerals, essential amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic.
Uses and consumption
The huaya It is used both as food and as a natural remedy in addition to being able to use the wood of the tree as a material to make furniture.
In the field of food, the huaya It can be found in cans, juices, consumed fresh or also fermented to make drinks such as huaya beer or brandy made from this fruit. The huaya bone can also be eaten if it is toasted.
The leaves of this plant are attributed antiparasitic properties, in addition to acting as a natural insecticide and a bat repellent.
As for natural remedies, the huaya leaf is attributed with the ability to calm the nerves and improve the symptoms of fever. Its infusion is used to combat throat infections if used as a rinse and the syrup from the fruit is used to combat diarrhea.
No side effects have been found associated with huaya nor that it can be toxic, however, it does. may involve certain risks both in collecting and consuming the fruit
Because this fruit reaches the top of 30-meter trees, there are many people who, without having the proper professional climbing knowledge or the appropriate material, have tried to climb to the top of the tree. This poses the risk of falling and breaking a bone or, in the worst case, dying.
The main risk of consuming the fruit is that, as it has a considerable size seed inside, it can leak while the fruit is being ingested and hinder the larynx, causing suffocation, especially in small children.
Relationship with cancer
In recent years, the image of this fruit has been widely shared on social networks with the claim that it cures cancer or that it is 10,000 times more powerful than chemotherapy. These statements, in addition to being a terrible lack of respect towards people who suffer from oncological diseases and the professionals who treat them, are false, To date, there is no study that confirms this
This does not mean that the fruit itself does not have beneficial health properties. In 2012, Cornell University, New York, conducted a study in which they found some gastrointestinal benefits caused by huaya. However, consuming huaya could prevent cancer in an indirect way, because it is maintained that diets rich in fruits and vegetables have been shown to be a protective factor against oncological diseases.
What should be clear is that huaya, although it may have some type of effect on the development of cancer, It is not a substitute for the treatments used to fight this type of disease
The possible preventive effects against cancer may be due to the fact that this fruit activates the immune system, preventing infections from occurring in the body. In addition, it has been linked to better health of the epithelia compared to unhealthy habits such as smoking, which could also be beneficial in the face of the appearance of carcinogenic agents.
It has also been hypothesized that it has certain nutrients that are capable of inhibiting the proliferation and growth of cancer cells, however, this is neither assured nor confirmed
It should be said that this is not the first time that a fruit or other type of plant, simply because it is a vegetable, must be inherently good for any type of disease and, especially, cancer, without having the proper evidence to prove it. To give some examples: broccoli, coffee, pomegranates, plums, peaches, oregano…
Returning to the same point as before, the fact that no clear evidence has been found that all these vegetables and fruits are powerful anti-cancer agents does not mean that they do not influence the prevention of the disease, it just means that they are not miraculous treatments nor do they seem to be going to be one.
